Intramedullary fixation nail and method of use

Abstract

Disclosed is an method for use of an intramedullary nail comprising a shaft having a length, a diameter, an exterior bone contacting surface, a leading (or distal) end and a trailing (or proximal) end, wherein the leading end is progressively tapered and comprises a well or cup, adapted to receive the tip of a standard K-wire, the trailing end comprises a driving fitting adapted for attachment to a driving tool for insertion of the nail into the prepared bone, the trailing end may optionally include an internal thread that can be used to secure the nail to a drill guide which can also function as an insertion handle, and the nail's shaft may also optionally be equipped with threaded and/or unthreaded cross-drilled holes for insertion of unicortical locking screws and bone screws, respectively, once the nail is placed as desired.

We claim: 
     
       1. A method for implanting an intramedullary nail in a bone having a medulla, the intramedullary nail comprising a shaft having leading and trailing ends, the leading end terminating in a cup, and the trailing end terminating in a feature adapted for attachment to a driving tool, the method comprising the steps of:
 inserting a guide wire having a tip, into a first end of the bone, through the medulla, and out of a second end of the bone; 
 attaching the feature at the trailing end of the intramedullary nail to a corresponding feature on the driving tool; 
 engaging the cup at the leading end of the intramedullary nail with the tip of the guide wire; 
 urging the shaft of the intramedullary nail into the second end of the bone, and simultaneously urging the guide wire out of the bone through the first end of the bone; 
 after the shaft of the intramedullary nail reaches a final position in the bone, removing the guide wire through the first end of the bone; and 
 disengaging the feature at the trailing end of the intramedullary nail from the corresponding feature on the driving tool. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of reaming the medulla around the guide wire after insertion of the guide wire into the bone and prior to urging the intermedullary nail into the bone. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1  wherein the guide wire comprises a Kirschner wire. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1  wherein the feature at the trailing end of the intramedullary nail comprises a first screw thread, and the corresponding feature on the driving tool comprises a second screw thread, the first screw thread and the second screw thread adapted to mate with each other. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1  wherein the intramedullary nail further comprises one or more cross-drilled holes. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5  further comprising the step of inserting a screw through at least one of the one or more cross-drilled holes. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1  wherein the shaft of the intermedullary nail is straight. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1  wherein the shaft of the intermedullary nail is solid. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1  wherein the shaft of the intermedullary nail further comprises a constant cross section. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1  wherein the leading end of the intermedullary nail is tapered. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 1  wherein the intermedullary nail comprises a single component of unitary construction.